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DOOM 3 - Sluggo's Blog From Hell

I've gotten tons of feedback and questions about DOOM 3 since kicking off this blog a few days ago, and now that I'm almost done with the game, I wanted to answer some of the mails that have come in. (I should have another entry shortly dealing with all the HDTV questions I've received.)

Meesotofreak: Does the game (at least to the point where you currently are) make any references to the first DOOM?

Sluggo: I've seen some sly references to several id Software games and events, including Wolfenstein 3D, the original DOOM, and even QuakeCon (!). I won't give away where they are, but if you keep your eyes peeled -- especially in the opening segments of the game -- you're sure to find a few.

Jesse Leo: How do you take a screenshot during the action? I'm hoping to get some cool screenies and use them as my PC wallpaper. Also, is there a guide or manual that tells you all of the console commands?

Sluggo: In the Options --> Controls --> Other menu, there's an option to set a key to take screenshots. By default, it's bound to F12, but I have mine bound to "E" so it's easy for me to snap off screens while playing.

As for console commands, we've already posted a partial list of cheats and other commands, which should get you started. I haven't seen a complete list posted anywhere, but I've noticed that a lot of the commands are carryovers from the Quake 3 engine; I'd keep an eye on PlanetDOOM, as they'll probably have the entire list as soon as anyone figures it out.

Hankinson321: I was just wondering if DOOM 3 would have online play with GameSpy Arcade eventually?

Sluggo: As the GameSpy Arcade guys tell me, support for DOOM 3 should be out any day now. w00t!

Vidiot1988: I have a powerful computer but I also own an Xbox; I was wondering if I should buy DOOM 3 for the PC now or wait for it to release on Xbox?

Sluggo: I have a biased opinion on this, because I enjoy playing first-person shooters with a mouse and keyboard far more than with a gamepad. If that sounds like you, and you have a powerful PC that can handle it, I'd recommend the PC version in a heartbeat so you can enjoy the graphics in their full glory. The only caveat is if you're interested in co-op play, which leads to the next question...

Byron Koontz: Is it possible to play the co-op over a LAN with a single CD-key, or would I need to purchase two copies? (There's no way I'm playing that game alone ... Hahah.)

Sluggo: Sadly, the PC version of DOOM 3 does not support cooperative play over LAN or Internet -- that's a feature only the Xbox version will have. However, it seems that mod makers have already gotten to work trying to get co-op up and running in the PC version; none of the co-op mods I've seen released so seem to work correctly (reportedly, one or two might actually be trojans designed to steal your CD-key, so be careful); hopefully we'll have the ability to fight across Mars and Hell with our buddies soon.